By the Numbers in 1959
World Population
—
UK Life Expectancy
54.7 years
US Life Expectancy
55.3 years
Gold Price (per oz)
$35.09
Dow Jones Index
578
US National Debt
—
Sovereign Nations
86
How Much Did Things Cost in 1959?
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £2,400 | $11,200 |
| Average salary | £620/year | $4,400/year |
| Pint of milk | 4d | $0.25 |
| Loaf of bread | 6½d | $0.20 |
| Dozen eggs | 3s 8d | $0.63 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 5d | $0.44 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 3d | $0.31 |
| Cinema ticket | 2s 6d | $0.65 |
Technology and Inventions in 1959
The microchip era was dawning — Fairchild Semiconductor produced the first practical integrated circuits. The M1, Britain's first full-length motorway, opened and transformed the country. The Mini car revolutionised automobile design. The USSR's Luna 2 became the first man-made object to reach the Moon, and Luna 3 sent back the first photographs of the far side.
- ● Luna 2 becomes the first man-made object to reach the Moon
- ● Luna 3 photographs the far side of the Moon for the first time
- ● The Mini car is launched by the British Motor Corporation
- ● Fairchild Semiconductor produces practical integrated circuits
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